IPL auction: This kind of price never crossed my mind, says Dinesh Karthik

New Delhi: Dinesh Karthik was sulking in the pavilion after being clean bowled by Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar during the Rest of India`s second innings in the Irani Trophy game when he got the news of Delhi Daredevils buying him for a whopping Rs 12.5 crore at the IPL auction.

"Yes, I am very happy but I never thought that I would get this kind of a price. Actually, I came to know a bit later as we didn`t have access to television in the dressing room," Karthik told PTI today after being the second biggest draw in the auctions following Yuvraj Singh (Rs 14 crore). "I was actually pretty angry with myself after getting out and was sitting quietly," he said. Asked if there would be any added pressure on him having commanded this kind of a price, the talented wicket-keeper batsman replied, "I don`t think so as you don`t play cricket just to earn money. I have never played my cricket that way. I have been picked by Delhi Daredevils and as a professional, it is my duty to perform to the best of my abilities". But will this million dollar deal (USD 2.03 million) work at the back of his mind as people will equate his performance with the amount of money he is getting, the Tamil Nadu stumper was honest in his reply. "I have never been through such a process earlier, so I won`t be able to relate how it works for a particular player in this situation," Karthik said. For Karthik, another aim would be to win back his place in the national side. "There is nothing more important than wearing the national team jersey. The goal is always to play for India and that will be an added boost while performing for Delhi Daredevils," Karthik said.